Travel Guide of Magnificent Mile, Chicago for: Omni Chicago Hotel
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Magnificent Mile Summary

Pros

The Chicago Water Tower, Wrigley Building, and John Hancock Observatory

Close to the main tourist attractions

Great restaurants

Vibrant nightlife

Cons

Few subway lines

Pricey hotels

Crowds

What It's Like

The Magnificent Mile, an iconic stretch of North Michigan Avenue, is the heart of Chicago's upscale shopping district. World-class hotels and boutiques cram both sides of this broad avenue, sandwiched between posh Streeterville and River North. But it is not all about department stores out here. Galleries, landmarks -- such as the Water Tower, the John Hancock Observatory, the Pumping Station and Wrigley Building -- and top-notch restaurants are to tourists as honey is to bees. People, have your wallets ready.

Where To Stay

As the name implies, the Magnificent Mile is, you guessed it, a mile long. Anywhere along this stretch is going to be prime real estate, so you really can't go wrong. To be closer to The Loop, stay on the south end of the street, and to be closer to the mansions and historic buildings in the Gold Coast, stay on the north end of the street.